Since splitting two games with the Orioles in Seattle last week, the Mariners won three of four games against Tampa Bay, leaving them 26-29, the league's seventh-best record. While the Orioles have little chance of repeating last season's 98 wins, the Mariners are in familiar territory. En route to 90 wins last season they finished May at 27-27. They made up three games on West-leading Texas during the past week. Before going 0-for-5 yesterday, shortstop Alex Rodriguez was hitting .370 (20-for-54) since moving to the No. 2 spot in Lou Piniella's lineup. He had seven homers and 15 RBIs in his previous 14 games. With 20 home runs, Rodriguez is on pace for 61 homers. Orioles cruncher Joey Cora entered yesterday hitting only .191 (17-for-89) over the past 23 games, but he went 4-for-4 in an 11-6 win over the Devil Rays.